Hanoi, Vietnam is where you can find the best Bun cha in Vietnam. Of course, this dish exists everywhere in Vietnam, but in Hanoi Bun Cha Is the most delicious. This is acknowledged by many locals, not just blog travel writers. Today we will discover a wonderful dish of Vietnam. Hopefully, you will be able to taste it personally soon.

What is bun cha?

A traditional dish of Hanoi @ Vinacel

Bun cha is a local dish originally from Ha Noi, the capital of Vietnam. Throughout Vietnam you can find a lot of dishes that have the same formula as bun cha (like bun thit nuong in Saigon), however, the dishes are unbeatable.

The dish is very simple to make and can be found any time of the year. It doesn’t matter if you eat bun cha in a restaurant or a small cart on the street, you will be served by a plate of vermicelli (bun), a bowl of broth with grilled pork and a basket of fresh greens.

Bun, the vermicelli noodles, is served on a plate. Hanoians are very picky when it comes to cooking and you will see it clearly through the way they choose the noodles for different food. To make a decent bowl of bun cha, the vermicelli has to be thin, soft and chewy.

Cha is the meat part of this dish, served in a bowl. The meat is made from pork and cooked in 2 styles: cha vien (ground pork) and cha mieng (grilled thin sliced pork). It is served with the broth.

The highlight of bun cha is definitely the broth (or dipping sauce). To make the sweet and sour soul of this dish, the cook mixes fish sauce, vinegar, and sugar together. The ingredients might sound simple but the taste varies from one shop to another because of the different ratio of each element in the recipe. Diners can tell a good or bad bun cha by the flavor of the sauce.

Without vegetables and herbs, Vietnamese dishes are not complete. In the big basket of greens on the table, you will find fresh lettuce, Thai basil, cilantro, fish mint, banana flower and coriander.

When and how to eat bun cha

Mr. Obama at a Bun Cha shop in Hanoi @ Kenh14

In the past, people usually had bun cha for lunch. Nowadays, since most of the shops open from morning to night people can eat it for whatever meal of the day they want. There is no right way or wrong way to eat bun cha. However, commonly, there are 2 ways to enjoy this delicious meal: southern and northern style.

Southern people usually wrap and roll everything they can. So if you love wrapping things, you can use a big leaf of lettuce to wrap the vermicelli, pork and herbs then dip it in the sauce and take a big bite. The biggest advantage of this style is you only need to use your hand to eat everything so it doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to use the chopsticks.

If you want to show off how experienced you are, follow what the Hanoian does The Northern way to eat bun cha is much simpler. All you have to do is dip everything in the broth, mix it together and eat it like a bowl of Pho. Because the vermicelli is quite slippery so it can be both fun and challenge for those who haven’t mastered their chopsticks skills yet.

Now you know how to eat the bun cha like a pro. The next question is where can you find the best bun cha in Vietnam?

Where to have the best bun cha in Vietnam

Bun cha is the greatest Hanoi gift of all time so obviously, the most appropriate place to have bun cha is in Ha Noi. In spite of the fact that many restaurants in other parts of the countries also serve this dish on their menu, the flavor is different. Because the taste of Vietnamese food changes from the North to the South, the chefs from Central and South Vietnam will adjust the recipe to meet the needs of the locals. In addition, the price of food can be higher than in the North. Just eat as much bun cha as you can while you are in Hanoi.

Many tourists have tasted the Vietnamese noddle soup called “pho” already and know that this is one of the most delicious and popular cuisine in Vietnam. But many do not know that “pho” came from Hanoi, and only in Hanoi “pho” is more delicious than any other places.

History of “pho”:

Pho in Hanoi via Buffalotrip

Pho—Vietnam’s unofficial national dish—might look like a run-of-the-mill noodle soup. But the flavors and the history are as complex as the country itself.

Many Vietnamese culinary experts believe pho is a unique adaptation of “pot au feu” (“pot in the fire”), introduced during the French colonial period in the late 1800s.

“Pho is like the soul of our people. It is our heritage,” says Nguyen Thanh Van, the executive sous chef at the Hanoi Metropole Hotel. “From the moment our feet first touch the earth, our parents take us, with the whole family, to a pho shop. And even when we’re sick, old, and bedridden, we will be served steaming pho by our [loved ones].”

“When we travel abroad, we miss our pho like we miss a person,” she adds.

The key ingredients are simple: flat rice noodles in a rich beef or chicken stock. But there is nothing simple about creating the complex flavors of the perfect broth.

The broth must be clear for both pho bo (with beef) and pho ga (with chicken).

For pho bo broth, cartilaginous, marrow-rich beef bones are left to simmer in a cloth bag for at least eight hours. The foam and grease are discarded. For pho ga, the chicken carcass is simmered for about three hours.

Fresh ginger and onions are roasted over an open flame before they are added to flavor the broth. A variety of other spices may become part of the mix, including star anise, coriander, fennel, cardamom, and a dash of fish sauce.

Pho is often accompanied by sliced lime, fresh red chilies, Thai basil, bean sprouts, and chili sauce. These condiments are served on the side so that seasoning is an individual choice.

Pho noodles must be made of the highest quality fragrant rice: a little sticky and very white in color. Fresh noodles are painstakingly produced in home workshops and have a slightly sour taste.

Places to eat “pho” in Hanoi:

Inside Traditional Pho @ Bat Dan Street via Smitten By Food

Spices Garden: This gracious restaurant in the historic Metropole Hotel serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine, including phenomenal pho, to famous visitors and local VIPs who keep their monogrammed ivory and inlaid-pearl chopsticks in a mahogany case at the entrance.

Pho #10: Located at 10 Ly Quoc Su in the Old Town, Pho #10 is crowded with families, couples, and singles, and is consistently cited as the place to find cheap, fresh pho. Inside the garish orange façade are bubbling vats of aromatic stock and cold beers to welcome foodies.

#49 Bat dan Street: Recommended by locals as the “best beef pho” in Hanoi, expect a long line and sit on a squat child-size plastic stool on the street. This is the kind of pho a Vietnamese grandmother would take all day to prepare.

Noodle Village tours: Located 12 miles south of Hanoi, Cu Da Village makes the white and yellow noodles used in many noodle dishes and in fried spring rolls. A private guide can arrange a tour of small home-based rice-noodle workshops to see families churning out handmade pho noodles.

Nam Long Hotel is a great hotel near the ocean of Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh. It has great characteristics to be the top hotel in the city due to its position and the quality of the service. Surely Nam Long Hotel will grow to be one of the best hotels in the local area.

The Shells Resort & Spa is the new 5-star resort in Phu Quoc. The resort has 40 ocean views room which links the customer to the coastal scenery. The luxury offered by the resorts will create a harmony feeling of luxury, island, peaceful.

Key facts

Airport shuttle service is available on request during limited hours. Contact the property in advance to make arrangements.

Required at check in

Credit card or cash deposit required

Government-issued photo ID required

Minimum check-in age is 18

Travelling with others

Children

One child (5 years old and younger) stays free when occupying the parent or guardian’s room, using existing bedding

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Internet

Free WiFi in public areas

Free WiFi in rooms

Transportation

Transfers

Free airport shuttle (available on request) *

Parking

Free valet parking (limited)

In the hotel

The front of the resort @ Viec Lam Phu Quoc

Food and drink

2 bars/lounges

Restaurant

Poolside bar

24-hour room service

Things to do

Beach sun loungers

Beach umbrellas

Outdoor pool

Children’s pool

Full-service spa

Spa treatment room(s)

Kayaking on site

Ecotours nearby

Scuba diving nearby

Snorkeling nearby

Beach towels

Free pool cabanas

Spa tub

Pool sun loungers

Steam room

Pool umbrellas

Sauna

Billiards or pool table

Working away

Business center

Conference space

One meeting room

Conference center

Computer station

Services

24-hour front desk

Concierge services

Tours/ticket assistance

Dry cleaning/laundry service

Laundry facilities

Luggage storage

Wedding services

Porter/bellhop

Facilities

Year Built 2014

Safe-deposit box at front desk

Garden

Terrace

Accessibility

Accessible bathroom

In-room accessibility

Roll-in shower

In the room

Inside the room @ Privetrip

Home comforts

In-room climate control (air conditioning)

Air conditioning

Ceiling fan

Minibar

Coffee/tea maker

Bathrobes

Slippers

Sleep well

Down comforter

Blackout drapes/curtains

Turndown service

Premium bedding

Things to enjoy

Individually decorated

Individually furnished

Separate sitting area

Furnished balcony

Freshen up

Private bathroom

Deep soaking bathtub

Rainfall showerhead

Designer toiletries

Hair dryer

Be entertained

LCD TV

Premium TV channels

Stay connected

Desk

Free WiFi

Phone

Food and drink

Free bottled water

More

Daily housekeeping

In-room safe

Spa

Waves Spa has 10 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include hot stone massages, Thai massages, massages, and facials. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and reflexology. The spa is equipped with a sauna and a steam room.

The spa is open daily. Children under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa without adult supervision. Guests under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa.

Policies

Additional fees may apply to children for items such as bedding and meals and must be paid directly at the hotel. For more details, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.

Children under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa without adult supervision.

Guests under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa.

This property does not have elevators.

For transfers, guests must contact the property 72 hours prior to arrival prior to arrival at the number on the booking confirmation.

Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments and can be made by contacting the property before arrival at the number on the booking confirmation.

Mai Phuong Binh bungalow is a standard accommodation in Phu Quoc island. Being a 2 stars hotel, Mai Phuong Binh Bungalow offers an extensive service which comes from the well-trained staff, an outdoor pool which is a good addition to an excellent hotel. Although lacking some of the required equipmentfor a luxury experience, Mai Phuong Binh bungalow can still be a memorable experience for foreign tourists who come to Phu Quoc, Vietnam.

Key facts

Hotel size

Arriving/leaving

24-hour airport shuttle service is available. Contact the property in advance to get details.

Required at check in

Credit card or cash deposit required

Government-issued photo ID required

Minimum check-in age is 18

Travelling with others

Children

No cribs (infant beds)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Internet

Free WiFi in public areas

Free WiFi in rooms

Transportation

Parking

No parking

Free extended parking

In the hotel

In front of a room @ Khao San Road

Food and drink

Free breakfast

Things to do

Outdoor pool

Services

24-hour front desk

Concierge services

Tours/ticket assistance

Luggage storage

Facilities

Garden

In the room

Inside the room @ Chudu24

Home comforts

Air conditioning

Minibar

Things to enjoy

Balcony

Freshen up

Private bathroom

Shower only

Free toiletries

Hair dryer (on request)

Be entertained

32-inch LCD TV

Stay connected

Free WiFi

More

Daily housekeeping

Also known as

Mai Phuong Binh Bungalow Hotel Phu Quoc

Mai Phuong Binh Bungalow Hotel

Policies

Additional fees may apply to children for items such as extra bedding and meals. For more details, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.

Room types

Key facts

Hotel size

This hotel has 334 rooms

This hotel is arranged over 23 floors

Arriving/leaving

Check-in time 2 PM-midnight

Check-out time is noon

A guest who is not a Vietnamese citizen cannot share a room with a Vietnamese citizen without proof of marriage to each other. Otherwise, a second room must be booked. For more details, please contact the office using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.

Required at check in

Credit card or cash deposit required

Government-issued photo ID required

Minimum check-in age is 18

Travelling with others

Children

One child (5 years old and younger) stays free when occupying the parent or guardian’s room, using existing bedding

No cribs (infant beds)

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Internet

Free WiFi and wired Internet access in public areas

Free WiFi and wired Internet access in rooms

In the hotel

In the hotel @ City Pass Guide

Food and drink

Buffet breakfast daily (surcharge)

2 restaurants

Bar/lounge

Coffee shop/café

24-hour room service

Coffee/tea in a common area

Things to do

Outdoor pool

Fitness facilities

Full-service spa

Spa treatment room(s)

Spa tub

Steam room

Sauna

Working away

Business center

Number of meeting rooms – 8

Meeting rooms 7

Conference center

Services

24-hour front desk

Concierge services

Tours/ticket assistance

Limo or Town Car service available

Dry cleaning/laundry service

Free newspapers in lobby

Luggage storage

Wedding services

Facilities

Number of buildings/towers – 1

Year Built 2011

Elevator/lift

Safe-deposit box at front desk

Designated smoking areas

Garden

Accessibility

In-room accessibility

In the room

Inside the room @ City Pass Guide

Home comforts

Air conditioning

Minibar

Bathrobes

Slippers

Iron/ironing board

Sleep well

Blackout drapes/curtains

Turndown service

Freshen up

Private bathroom

Separate bathtub and shower

Free toiletries

Hair dryer

Be entertained

42-inch LCD TV

Satellite TV channels

Stay connected

Desk

Free newspaper

Free WiFi

Phone

Food and drink

Free bottled water

More

Daily housekeeping

In-room safe

Connecting/adjoining rooms available

Spa

Ren Spa has 5 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include facials and body treatments. The spa is equipped with a sauna and a spa tub.

Dining

La Brasserie – This brasserie specializes in international cuisine and serves breakfast and dinner. Open daily.

Ming Court – This restaurant specializes in Chinese cuisine and serves lunch and dinner. Open daily.

The Lounge – This cafe serves light fare only. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.

Hotel Nikko Saigon’s small print

Also known as

Hotel Nikko Saigon

Hotel Nikko Saigon Ho Chi Minh City

Policies

The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.

For transfers, guests must contact the property 48 hours prior to arrival at the number on the booking confirmation.

Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments and can be made by contacting the property before arrival at the number on the booking confirmation.

Optional extras

Buffet breakfast is offered for an extra charge of VND 588,616 per person (approximately)

Cassia Cottage is a 4 stars hotel in Phu Quoc. It is a beachfront one with 3 outdoor pools and a water park. The price is pretty reasonable and the service is top notch according to many tourists. So why not dropby and enjoy a long vacation with your loved ones?

Main amenities

The outdoor pool @ Audley Travel

58 shared guestrooms

On the beach

Restaurant and bar/lounge

3 outdoor pools

Water park

Beach umbrellas

Spa services

Business center

Airport shuttle

In-room childcare

Terrace

Air conditioning

Free buffet breakfast and free WiFi

Feel at home

Free cribs/infant beds

Children’s pool

In-room childcare (surcharge)

Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)

Supervised childcare/activities (surcharge)

Connecting/adjoining rooms available

What’s around

In Duong Dong

Phu Quoc Beach (21-minute walk)

Phu Quoc Night Market (23-minute walk)

Dinh Cau Temple (33-minute walk)

Dinh Cau (33-minute walk)

San Van Dong Duong Dong Stadium (44-minute walk)

Room choices

Sea View Room

Large Sea View Room

Family Beach House, Sea View

Modern Deluxe Room

Run of House

Cottage, Garden View

Modern Premium Room

At a glance

Key facts

Hotel size

This hotel has 58 rooms

This hotel is arranged over 2 floors

Arriving/leaving

Check-in time 2 PM-midnight

Check-out time is noon

24-hour airport shuttle service is available on request. Contact the property in advance to make arrangements.

Required at check in

Credit card or cash deposit required

Government-issued photo ID required

Minimum check-in age is 18

Travelling with others

Children

Babysitting/childcare *

Pets

Pets not allowed

Internet

Free WiFi in public areas

Free WiFi in rooms

Transportation

Transfers

Airport shuttle (available 24 hours) *

In the hotel

Insid the resort @ Resort tot nhat

Taking the kids?

In-room childcare (surcharge)

Supervised childcare/activities (surcharge)

Food and drink

Free buffet breakfast daily

Restaurant

Bar/lounge

Beach bar

Room service (during limited hours)

Barbecue grills

Things to do

Beach sun loungers

Beach umbrellas

Number of outdoor pools – 3

Children’s pool

Spa services on site

Water park access (surcharge)

Beach towels

Pool sun loungers

Pool umbrellas

Working away

Business center

One meeting room

Computer station

Services

Concierge services

Tours/ticket assistance

Dry cleaning/laundry service

Laundry facilities

Luggage storage

Wedding services

Multilingual staff

Facilities

Number of buildings/towers – 10

Year Built 2000

Safe-deposit box at front desk

Designated smoking areas

Garden

Terrace

Library

In the room

Inside the room @ Truong Hong

Home comforts

Air conditioning

Ceiling fan

Minibar

Coffee/tea maker

Bathrobes

Slippers

Sleep well

Turndown service

Things to enjoy

Balcony

Freshen up

Shower only

Bidet

Free toiletries

Hair dryer

Stay connected

Desk

Free WiFi

Phone

Food and drink

Free bottled water

More

Daily housekeeping

In-room safe (laptop compatible)

Connecting/adjoining rooms available

Access via exterior corridors

Shared accommodations

Special features

Dining

The Spice House – This beachfront restaurant specializes in Vietnamese cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A children’s menu is available. Happy hour is offered. Reservations are required. Open daily.

Recreation

On Site

Bicycle rentals on site

Ecotours on site

Fishing on site

Kayaking on site

Scooter/moped rentals on site

Scuba diving on site

Snorkeling on site

Water skiing on site

Water park access (surcharge)

Nearby

Golf lessons available nearby

Golfing nearby

Also known as

Cassia Cottage Hotel Phu Quoc

Cassia Cottage Hotel

Policies

The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.

For transfers, guests must contact the property before arrival at the number on the booking confirmation.

Optional extras

Rollaway beds are available for VND 675000 per night

Babysitting/childcare is available for an extra charge

Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of VND 225000 per person (one way)

Overview

Travel onto the water in style aboard a traditional wooden junk, this two day cruise takes you out into the heart of Halong Bay and the untouched Bai Tu Long Bay. Enjoy the opportunity to visit one of the true wonders of the world and listening to the fascinating stories about its seascape and limestone formations.

Excursion to floating fishing village by a rustic wooden boat, visit floating houses and learn about fish-farming and pearl cultivation

Meals

1 Breakfast, 2 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Transportation

Shuttle Bus

Accommodation

Paloma Cruise (1 night)

Price Includes

English Speaking Guide on boat.

Entrance and Sightseeing fees.

Luxury Paloma Cruise in Halong Bay

All meal on board (2 lunches, 1 dinners, 1 breakfast).

Cooking demonstration.

1 Sunset party

Bamboo boat trip rowed by local people

Welcome drink, cold handkerchief

2 bottles of mineral water in cabin

Daily fresh fruit

Service charge, Insurance on board

Price Excludes

Transfer Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi (book in next step)

Airfares,private Car Transfers and Hotels

Massage Services

Beverages, Tips and Personal Expenses

All other services not clearly mentioned above

Cancellation by Customer

More than 15 days prior to check-in: 10% of total rates

From 14 to 2 days prior to check-in: 50% of total rates

Less than 48 hours prior to check-in: 100% of total rates

No-Show: 100% of total rates

Cancellation due to bad weather

If the cancellation be announced by the Management Board of Halong Bay, depend on the timing of the cancellation, following policies will be applied:

Before departure from Hanoi to Halong Bay (none of the services has been used): 100% refund.

During the trip (some services have been used: transfer, lunch, day trip, hotel in Halong, etc.): used services will be charged, the rest will be refunded.

The trip be cut down from 2 nights to 1 night, tourists will be charged a 2 days/1 night trip, plus other used services, the rest will be refunded.

The final cost will be confirmed by your consultant via email. In all cases, please contact us directly for any urgent help. We are here to support you with all of our best!

Children Policy

Child under 4 years sharing fully paid cabin with parents: No additional charge, limited to one child per cabin.

Child from 4 – 11 year old sharing fully paid cabin with parents: Charge 75%, limited to one child per cabin

Child from 12 years old charged as an a adult

Itinerary

Vung Vieng Village @ Paloma Cruise

Day 1: Hanoi – Bai Tu Long Bay – Thien Canh Son Cave

Day 2: Vung Vieng Village – Halong – Hanoi

Important Notes:

PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

In case of unpredictable bad conditions of weather in Halong Bay, please kindly understand that the cancellation will be made ONLY by the Management Board of Halong Bay and normally the announcement will be informed in short notice.

Overview

From the north to the south you won’t miss any outstanding destinations that would bring you amazing memories and stories to share with everybody. This is the best way to enjoy every single thing of a particular Asian country, from Sapa – one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Vietnam, offers travellers various choices of activities, depending on hobbies and budget: trekking; cultural travelling; Yao Herbal bath or even street food…. to the maginficient beauty of Halong bay or the tranquil atmosphere of Hue and Hoi An where for years still are dreaming places even for the local, or the differences of city life and delta life in the south Vietnam. You will be the one not only to observe but also to hands on the activities. Don’t forget to take camera to record all nice memory in your tour.

Highlights

Sapa trekking @ Villa Saykham

Start the journey in the northern Vietnam with the most local activities such as enjoying the day in a street coffee shop, visiting caves by rowing boat or take a soft trekking and see the daily local life of ethnic minorities

Gliding through the waterways of the Mekong Delta, enjoying the slow rhythm of life and many more activities on the Mekong Delta to get closer to the local life. Do not miss any!

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Day 2: Hanoi Half day City tour – Night train to Lao Cai

Day 3: Lao Cai – Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Giang Ta Chai

Day 4: Sapa – Cat Cat – Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Day 6: Halong – Hanoi – Hue

Day 7: Hue City Half day tour

Day 8: Hue – Hoi An by shuttle bus

Day 9: Hoi An Walking half day in the morning

Day 10: Hoi AN – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Ho Chi Minh City

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City Departure

Important Notes:

PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

In case of unpredictable bad conditions of weather in Halong Bay, please kindly understand that the cancellation will be made ONLY by the Management Board of Halong Bay and normally the announcement will be informed in short notice.

If you have any specific food requirement (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies, etc.) please inform us in advance, we will provide notices to our restaurants, tour guides and partners so they would be able to serve you the best.

30% of total package price should be deposited once the booking is confirmedHoi An @ Bucketlisty Blog